HCPSSSuperintendent Update on Student Transportation, Aug. 23, 2024
August 23rd, 2024
The following updates on student transportation were shared with HCPSS families by HCPSS Superintendent William J. Barnes on August 23, 2024.
I am excitedly awaiting the first day of school on Monday. Staff have been working hard preparing our schools and classrooms for a very successful school year.
Our transportation contractors and staff in the Office of Student Transportation also have been working diligently to ensure we have a successful start to the school year. You may be apprehensive about transportation on the first day of school and I wanted to provide some updates.
Bus Driver Vacancies: At a time when much of the state and nation continue to be plagued by a driver shortage, I received confirmation this week from our transportation contractors that not only do Howard County contractors have zero driver vacancies, but our contractors have had more drivers complete the mandatory in-service training than necessary. Additionally, all current drivers have been conducting dry runs to familiarize themselves with their routes. I commend our contractors for their extraordinary efforts in this area.
Bus Routes: Bus routes are developed by HCPSS staff and provided each year to the transportation contractors who fill those routes. Contractors received all general education routes by Aug. 7, which provided contractors with 19 days to review and test routes, and work with our team to make adjustments. We have about 400 more students receiving specialized transportation this year, which necessitates additional routes. Those students have been accounted for, contractors received those routes on Aug. 13, and we will continue to adjust as enrollment changes. I am encouraged each time I see a bus conducting a dry run around Howard County.
Traffic Congestion: Beyond the influx of buses that will be on the roads starting Monday, there also will be more cars dropping off students, as well as student drivers. Please allow extra time to start the school year, be patient and extend grace to others, and follow the traffic patterns shared by your child’s school. This will allow all buses and cars to access our schools without significant delay and remain on time to their next destination. HCPSS staff will monitor delays caused by traffic congestion and will adjust routes if necessary to ensure arrivals and departures occur on time.
Students Walking: We continue to have several thousand students who will walk or ride bikes to school each day, as well as those walking to their bus stops. I implore all drivers to remain aware of students and all pedestrians walking in and crossing the streets. Follow the posted speed limits and the directions of crossing guards, where applicable. I also encourage you to review safety reminders with your children, such as staying on established walkways and paying attention to vehicle traffic. Additional safety tips for walkers, bus riders and motorists can be found on the HCPSS website. I greatly appreciate our collective efforts to ensure all students remain safe this school year.
If your child experiences challenges with their transportation, please make their school administrators aware. If there is an issue with bus service, please use the Office of Student Transportation Contact Form and a staff member will be in touch. Staff will prioritize requests related to changes in enrollment, safety concerns, and adjustments necessary to ensure student transportation vehicles arrive at their destinations on time. Additionally, school system staff will be working to notify families each day by email and text when buses experience delays of 15 minutes or more.
While I am confident we have done the work necessary for a successful start, there are transportation (and other) challenges anytime we begin a new school year. Staff will work diligently to implement adjustments in the first two weeks of school and as needed throughout the year to achieve and maintain an efficient and dependable student transportation system.
I thank each parent, guardian, and caretaker responsible for ensuring our children travel safely to school and back each day. I wish you a wonderful start to your school year.